Thomas l



(No Model.)

T. L. LUD

Gar-Axle No. 2281.651- Patented June 8, I880.

WITNESSES N.FETERS, PMOTO UTMOGRAP1EE WISHINGTON. D C.

3 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. LUDERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., ASSIGNOR ()F ONE-HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO CHARLES J. A. DICK, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CAR-AXLE BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming- .part of Letters Patent No. 228,657, dated June 8, 1880.

Application filed March 29, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. LUDERs, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an '5 Improvement in Axle-Boxes, of which the following-is a specification.

The main object of my invention is to combine with an axle-box pumping-mechanism, substantiallyas described hereinafter, whereby the oil which has fallen from the journal or hearing ofthebox maybe raised and discharged againstthe journal or bearing when the car, locomotive, or tender to which the box appertains is in motion, the operation of the pump being due to the movement of the box in its guides.

In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of an axle-box with myselflubricating device applied thereto; 'Fig. 2, a

transverse section on the line 1 2; Fig. 3, a plan view of the pumping mechanism, and Figs. 4 and 5 views illustrating the mode of making the valves of a pump-which maybe advantageously employed.

The aXle-box-A is of the usual construction, and is furnished with-the ordinary bearing B for the journal (Z of the axle D.

In the interior of the box, and to one side of the same, is pivoted a weighted arm, G, by a stud, I), and this arm is acted on by a spiral spring, 71. The arm remains in a quiescent condition as long as the car to which the axlebox appertains is stationary; but when the car is in motion there must always be more or less vertical movement of the box in its guides, and there must consequently be more or less vibration of the arm on its pivot-pin. By the combination of this weighted arm with pumping appliances the oil which falls from 4.0 the journal and bearing into the bottom of the box is raised and reapplied to the journal, which is thus constantly maintained in a thoroughly lubricated condition when proper lubrication is most essentialthat is, when the 5 car is in motion.

Different kinds of pumping devices will readily suggest themselves to an expert mechanic; but I believe that the appliances which I will proceed to describe are the most simple and economical, and will perform their (No model.)

duties quite-as well as more costly mechan- The pump itself consists of two disks, m and n, of leather, properly'secured together near their edges, the lower disk being secured at such a point that the oil will be discharged from it against the journal of the axle immediately below the edge of the bearing.

Suction-valves are formed in the lower disk, a, and adischarge-valve in the upper disk, m, preferably in the manner best observed in Figs.

4 and 5.

Where a valve has to be formed in the leather an incision is made through the same, preferably of the segmental form shown in Fig. 4, the portion of the leather bounded by the incision becoming a flap-valve, connected to the disk by the uncut portion of the leather, but'free to open and close, the incision being made in the inclined course shown in Fig. 5,

so that there will be a beveled seat on the edge of the opening in the leather for the beveled edge of the valve. There is a single dischargevalve, q, of this character in the center of the upper disk, where the force-pipe p is connected to the same. The lower disk has suctionvalves, (two in the present instance,) one on each side of the bolt which secures it to the bottom of the box.

The pipe 10 is secured to and moves with the weighted arm. In other words, the pipe is the pump-rod by which the weighted arm is connected to the upper disk of the pump, simplicity in construction being attained by this arrangement.

A force-pump of the ordinary character may be substituted for the leather pump; but the latter is the more economical and will perform the desired duty quite as well as more costly 5 pumping appliances.

I prefer to filter the oil which drops from the journal and hearing before it reaches the pump, for which purpose I use cottou'waste or other absorbent filtering medium placed be- [00 tween the bottom of the box and a removable perforated plate or plates, H, the pump being contained within a well, W, which is bounded on one side by a side of the box, and on the three remaining sides by vertical perforated plates I, and this well may be covered, so that all the oil from the journal and bearing must pass through the waste before it can gain access to the pump.

The .pipe 1) may have a branch, (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2,) so that oil may be discharged against the journal in opposite directions, in which case there will always be a supply of oil to be conveyed by the journal directly to its bearing, whichever of the two directions the journal may revolve in; or, if desired, the box may contain two pumps, each furnished with the actuatin g appliances described, one pump discharging oil against one side of the journal and the other pump forcing the oil against the opposite side of the same.

My invention, although especially applicable to the axle-boxes of cars, locomotives, and tenders, may be adapted to any bearings which are so moved or agitated as to impart a vibrating motion to a weighted arm.

It is not essential that the spring It should be situated at the point shown; but the spring, wherever it is located, should be such in relation to the weight exerted on the spring that thelatter will balance the former, and a column of oil will extend from the pump to the outlet of the force-pipe when the box is in a quiescent state, so that the first movement imparted to the weighted arm will be at once followed by the discharge of oil against the journal.

If desired, the oil may be discharged at such a point that it will pass through a channel in the bearing to the journal.

When it is not desired to rely altogether on the inertia of a weighted arm, G, to effect the operation of the pump, a rod (shown by dotted arranged to come in contact With a portion of the fixed frame in which the box is guided, so that as said box moves in its guides a positive movement will be imparted to the arm G or to the upper disk or piston of the pump. In other words, instead of the pump-operatin g device being contained entirely within the box and acting by inertia, it may extend beyond the box and be acted upon by a portion of the fixed frame. The arrangement shown, however, is preferred, as it is simple in construction, effective in operation, and does not lie cessitate the formation in the casing of the box of openings, through which dust or moisture can enter. r

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, in an axle-box, of abalanced and weighted arm pivoted to the said box, with a pump actuated by the said arm, and with a pipe through which oil may be forced by the pump against the journal or to a point above the same, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in an axle-box, of a weighted and balanced arm and a pump actuated by the said arm, with a well, W, formed in the bottom of the box and bounded by per forated plates, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in an axle-box, of the weighted and balanced arm, a pump composed of two flexible disks, and a force-pipe connected to the said arm and to one of the disks, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOS. L. LUDERS.

Witnesses:

JAMES F. ToBIN, HARRY SMITH. 

